Transcript Fire Prevention in the Home
Fire Prevention in Your Home
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National Fire Protection Association “NFPA”
In the U.S. – Death every 134 minutes In Canada – Death every 31 hours Roughly half of all home fire deaths in U.S. result from fires occurring between the hours of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am Children five (5) and under make up nine percent (9%) of population: accounted for 17 % of deaths 2
National Fire Protection Association “NFPA”
• Smoking leading cause of home fire deaths overall • Fire departments respond to a fire somewhere in U.S. every 20 seconds !!
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What Can You Do?
• Smoke Detectors – Get Them!! (Available for hearing impaired) – One on every level – Maintain Them !!
• Keep clean / dust free • Test once a month • Replace batteries at time changes 4
What Can You Do?
• Fire Extinguishers – Get Them !!
– Strategically Placed – Know how to use BEFORE fire occurs !!
• Small fire use ONLY !
• “PASS” – Pull/Aim/Squeeze/Sweep • GET OUT and call 911 if unsuccessful or fire grows !!
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What Can You Do?
• Plan Ahead / Exit Plan – Make “Floor Plans” – Two ways out • Window ladders available for two story home – House keeping • Sleep with bedroom doors closed – Feel door before opening • Keep exit paths clear – Meeting place outside 6
What Can You Do?
• Furnaces/Heaters – Install/maintain properly • Yearly inspections by professional – Don’t store combustibles near • At least three (3) feet away (includes walls) – Don’t leave space heaters operating when not in room 7
What Can You Do?
• Furnaces/Heaters – Don’t use extension chords • Many chords aren’t rated to handle required electrical current – Light matches/igniters prior to turning on gas for gas operated space heaters – Don’t use range/oven in lieu of furnace/heater 8
What Can You Do?
• Kitchens – Careless cooking #1 cause of residential fires !!
• Never leave unattended – Keep extinguisher in kitchen – NEVER pour WATER on GREASE fire !!
• Cover pan with lid / Close oven door • Turn off stove / oven 9
What Can You Do?
• Kitchens – Don’t store items on stove • Remember furnace / heater rule???
– Keep appliances clean / maintained • Disconnect when not in use – Don’t overload outlets • NO POWER STRIPS !!!
– Don’t wear loose fitting clothing when cooking 10
What Can You Do?
• Kitchens – Turn pot handles inward – No curtains if stove under a window – Clean exhaust hood regularly – Clean stove top/oven regularly – Don’t operate microwave without food in it 11
What Can You Do?
• Electrical Hazards – Limit extension chord use • Don’t run under rugs – Limit outlet use • No “Octopus Plugs” – Use correct light bulbs • Correct wattage for appliance – Check for loose / damaged receptacles 12
What Can You Do?
• Electrical Hazards – Allow air space around TV’s, stereos, etc… – Cut back on amount of appliances on any given circuit when circuit breakers “blow” – Look for “UL” label – Be aware of you home’s electrical capabilities • Modern appliances vs. older wiring 13
What Can You Do?
• Clothes Dryers – NEVER leave home with operating dryer – Vent to outside – Clean lint screen frequently – No plastics/rubber/foam 14
What Can You Do?
• Fireplaces – Use fireplace screens – Combustible rule again !!
– Chimney inspections yearly • Consider spark arresters to prevent roof fires – Light igniters prior to turning on gas (again!!) with gas operated fireplaces 15
What Can You Do?
• Children – One fourth of all children’s fire deaths result from a child starting a fire – Keep lighters/matches/igniters OUT OF REACH • Teach children to bring adult to device if found rather than bring device to adult – Never leave children unattended near fire or space heaters 16
What Can You Do?
• Children – Understand natural curiosity of children to fire but be aware of unusual fascination – Ensure that “overnighters” are aware of escape plan/meeting place 17
What Can You Do?
• Finally…
Smoking
– Believe in burning to death if you won’t believe in lung disease, heart disease, and cancer!
– NEVER smoke in bed – Refrain from smoking when you’ve been drinking or are very tired 18
What Can You Do?
• Smoking – Use large ashtrays • Empty often – Avoid dumping ashes into trash cans • Wetting them down and disposing in trash receptacles may STILL allow fire to occur 19
Keep Cut Xmas Trees Watered!!
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Have a Safe & Happy Holiday Season
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